Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 27)

RR

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=256077

Justin,

Just read the race report. Really makes me think I won't like a pool swim tri. I will be doing one anyway as it's only 150m and my husband and dd want to do it for their first. We all think the shorter swim will be a good idea since neither have much swim training but both can swim the six lengths necessary. We'll see what happens-lol. 

I am soo jealous of all of your times though. I am just getting to 15-16mph on the bike for a 10 mile ride and my run times totally stink. But I'm plugging along, getting slightly better each week and having fun so it's all good-lol. Besides, at least this way I can only go up right- haha. 

Enjoyed the race report. Thanks for sharing.

Shelly

Gary and any others who change out their own parts/components,

I've got some bike modification questions that I thought you might have some knowledge about. You probably saw my post on the talk forum about a bike for dd and my questions have to do with that. The short version is that we are looking to find a bike for her. She really wants one like mine and dh but budget is a major issue as well as what's best, safest, most useful for her. We found one that she loves and fits the budget and all the criteria perfectily. It's not the best brand and we know that but we are looking at an 8 (soon to be 9) year old growing kid who's been riding a Wal Mart bike so it's better than what she has. The bike is the girls GMC Denali. The questions though have to do with making modifications.

All of the reviews on the bike are actually very good minus a huge issue that the brake levers are too far out for small hands to reach and/or too hard for young kids to squeeze. Most of the people who bought the bike either changed the handlebars and brakes completely, or they added a set of brakes to the top of the handle bar. They act like it isn't a huge modification. Any thoughts or opinions on that? Claire would prefer the brakes added to the top option as part of why she loves the bike is that it has drop handlebars like mine and dh.

Dh and I know very little about any of that so we'd be looking at most likely having to bring it to a bike shop to be done. I do have a brother in law who could quite possibly do it, but he doesn't know where to get the parts. 

Any ideas, thoughts, opinions on if this is totally crazy, easy enough to accomplish, costly to do, etc. 

I just know you and some of the others work on your own bikes and would be better able to guide me on if this is a doable for reasonable cost project or not.

thanks a million to anyone who has any ideas,

Shelly

Gary, any recommendations on a cycling tri shoe brand and model? I'm doing a relay with my daughter on June 26th ... Kathryn is doing the run leg as the knee is still sketchy.  My current road shoes are fine for riding, but very clumsy to get into, especially with trying to pedal, stay upright and get rolling.

The event is the Smile Train Sprint

great run this morning. one of those clear your head runs before the storm (by storm i mean work).

Dorm, I have Shimano TR31 tri shoes. They work great. Bought them early on in the year on clearance because it is 2009 model. Got mine for under $85 at a LBS. The one strap and finger loop in the back is great (but i think all tri shoes might have that?)

Keep up the great work everyone.

JPF - read your race report.  Nice job!  You definitely have speed!  Race belts are extremely handy (one of the races I do has them in their goody bag).

Shelly - Not knowing the bike brand, handle bars etc (bar end shifters, brifters, etc) this is really one of those "depends" situation (no, not the brand!). Swapping out handlebars is easy but it will depend up on how much slack was left in the brake/shifter cables.  If the brake/shifter cables are short you will need to re-cable (and possible deraileur adjustment), making the job a little harder.   There are several online sites that can help (Sheldon browns is a good one) along with youtube. 

For parts, just do internet search.  Ebay should provide some parts also (probikekit.com, nashbar.com other good sites).  Here is what I would do.  Find the parts you need, take lots of pictures of how the bike is currently configured.  Replace the handlebars and if you have to recable then take it to a shop to do that portion.  Saves money but ensures a fully functional bike.  (note that I like do it yourself projects so I am usually a little more aggressive on these).

Dorm - I have only owned one brand of tri shoes - Fortes and they work fine.  Sorry, not much help.

Shelly - Pool tri's aren't bad as long as you seed yourself correctly.  Lot less contact than a OWS and typicall the contact is farther into the swim as opposed to the start.  The only one I didn't enjoy was a dash n splash.  Running a 5k then trying to swim 400m was not my idea of fun.

Everyone - the last couple of months I have been doing JorgeMs bike program.  If you are working on building speed it is the way to go.  Free (so far) and there is a thread with lots of questions answered.  It started in December but you can download the program at anytime.  I have copied it into a Word document for easy use.  It works with a HR monitor and a trainer but you can do it on the open road.  This is the 2nd year I did it and each time my speed/endurance increased.  I will post the link when I can (the one on my blog page is old and I believe broken).  Doesn't matter if you are riding 12mph or 20mph, it will help.

!!EVERYONE PAY ATTENTION!!

The Tour de France is coming up (July 2nd) and there is a contest where you post your rides and you can win prizes.  I am entered for the individual contest but there is also a team event.  I would like us to sign up as a group.  Doesn't matter if you are riding 5 miles a week or 50 I want us all in (if there is no team size limit then spouses/family members could be added also).  I think there is a small fee for a team but I will cover.  We will need a team name.  Post to confirm you are in!!  Will post more information soon

Awesome, we need a name.  A few suggestions:

Beer - the fourth discipline

What the heck!

Rough Riders

Margaritaville Riders

http://www.mapmyride.com/tdf/

I'm in ... and would love to see the info on the bike training program

I'm in too.

Also, I used specialized tri shoes.  I dont remember the name, but they're one step up from the entry level shoe and I got them on super sale earlier this year since they're last years model.  I love them.

And to whomever asked about speedwork - I do it.  In theory, I'm supposed to be doing one track workout and one tempo run each week.  I almost always do my tempo run but yesterday was my first day back at the track and it HURT.  But there's something that I really enjoy about running in circles until I want to puke.  I hate it at the time but afterwards am very proud of myself. 

I'm in.

I will try to create the group tonight or tomorrow night.  Cost is $50 which I will cover (but you all owe me beer).  If no names are suggested I will just come up with one.  I think the team can be up to 25 people and if so may invite some of the folks from my other mentor group.

This will be a private group and will need your email address to send you the invite.  Please PM me your address so I can invite you.

Gary ... I thought of a few names last night when on the bike ...

• "We Roll" as in 'rule' 
• "Let's Roll'
• Spandex - Rubber and Steel
• Carbon - Rubber and Spandex
• Pelaton-of-Fun

Hey all!

Hoping to get this setup by Friday.  Last night my girls softball team I am coaching (new team) had their first game.  Then had to wait for son to finish play practice and by 10pm I was done.  My son has his play tonight and another softball game tomorrow night.  Needless to say training is taking a hit this week.  Using this as an easy week.  Keep an eye out for invites.

Later!

Hey! Where did everyone go?  Last few days have been hectic.  Went to Jury duty today but they eventually excused us as they ended up with a plea deal.

Got a nice run and ride in today (albeit hot!).  I sent out invites for the TDF competition but only Ransick and DW have joined.  Come on folks, lets have some fun!

I was out of town AGAin last weekend but things are now hopefully slowing down through the summer.  I will sign up ASAP.  In other news, I just went for a great 7 mile run and held a 9 min pace the whole time - a first for me.  And last week I had my first OWS of the year and it went better than expected.  My marathon plan officially starts next week and I have my first tri of the year on July 10.  It'll be interesting to see how the marathon training affects my tri training and vice versa - I need to focus on the marathon since I've never done one so I know that my bike and swim will suffer.

Did you PM me your email address as I don't see it?  Please resend and I will get the site to send out an invite.